‘16 Days of Action’ to Combat Domestic Abuse – Starts November 25th

By Justin Frewen of Irish Left Review

One in five Irish women have suffered from domestic abuse at the hands of their former or current spouse or partner

Given the high incidence of domestic violence in Ireland, the majority of us will know someone who has been abused

IN the midst of the current recession, it is crucial we do not forget those amongst us who most need our support. One such group includes the victims of domestic violence.

In this respect, the ‘16 days of Action’ campaign to highlight the horrific levels of domestic abuse of women deserves support from us all.

On November 25^th – the International Day Opposing Violence Against Women – the campaign will be launched both internationally and within Ireland.

The 16-day campaign will include the active participation of over 2,000 groups in 150 countries worldwide that will be organising a range of events to raise public awareness of the staggering levels of domestic abuse against women. It will conclude on December 10th, International Human Rights Day.

One in five Irish women have suffered from domestic abuse at the hands of their former or current spouse or partner. Moreover, these statistics only account for those women who have reported this abuse, thus leading to the assumption that the actual incidences of domestic abuse are potentially even higher.

It has been estimated that a woman will have been subjected to abuse an average of 35 times before reporting it.

The shocking truth is that women, no matter where they live, are at greater risk of being abused by someone they know than any stranger.

Over 51% of the 166 women murdered in the state were killed by their partner or ex-partner. At the global level, as many as 76% of women suffer post-separation abuse.

Given the high incidence of domestic violence in Ireland, the majority of us will know someone who has been abused. Most of us, however, will remain unaware of the abuse being perpetrated as many victims feel unable to talk about their situation.

One of the most disturbing elements of domestic abuse is the number of women who are abused during pregnancy. International studies reveal that 25% of women first experience domestic violence during pregnancy, which can sometimes be so severe as to result in a miscarriage.

Research conducted in one Dublin maternity hospital found that one in eight of the women surveyed had been physically assaulted during their pregnancy. This abuse frequently continues after the birth of the child, with some women even being forcibly prevented from breastfeeding, beaten while they cradle their child or even raped following the birth of their baby.

One of the major objectives of the 16 Days campaign will be to raise the level of awareness of domestic violence during pregnancy with healthcare professionals as well as women attending maternity services.

Domestic abuse not only creates a world of fear at home for the victim. It can also dramatically curtail their participation in society. Many victims of domestic abuse find it impossible to remain in full employment.

According to the 2005 National Crime Council Report, approximately one in eight of those seriously abused were forced to leave their job completely while 40% had to take at least some time off work.

Many abused women feel Irish law provides scant protection. For instance, although some 25% or a quarter of all sexual violence being directed at adult women by current or ex-partners, there has only been one successful conviction under marital rape legislation since its introduction 19 years ago.

Ireland also fails to meet UN guidelines for domestic violence legislation, which indicates, for example, that it should cover all those who are or have been in an intimate relationship, irrespective of whether they are in same sex relations and their marital status.

There is clearly an urgent need for these gaps in the current legislation to be dealt with in order to ensure no perpetrator of abuse is able to get off on a technicality and that no victim of abuse is left without a recourse to the law.

Perpetrators of domestic abuse tend to be deliberate, manipulative and unrelenting in their victimisation of their partner. By engaging in repetitive intimidation and abuse, they are able to break down their wives and girlfriends, often inculcating serious doubts in their victims with respect to their own self-worth and esteem and even effectively alienating them from the support of their family and friends.

When this reality is added to the high level of ‘stigma’ and general unwillingness on the part of society to seriously and openly confront the reality of  physical, mental and sexual abuse of women, the obstacles faced by women in leaving their partner and/or reporting their partner to the authorities is rendered even more difficult.

We all need to play a role in demanding an end to domestic abuse. In Ireland, Women’s Aid – in close co-operation with a broad range of community and political pressure groups, rape crisis centres, domestic violence support services and other individuals in Ireland – use the 16 Days campaign to further public knowledge and awareness of domestic abuse in Ireland.

The ‘16 Days of Action’ Campaign

THE annual international ‘16 Days of Action’ Campaign concentrates on raising awareness of domestic abuse at the national and local levels.

By means of an approach combining active engagement at the community level through a variety of events, exhibitions, public actions and debates as well as involving the media and local elected representatives, we can all help to ensure positive political and social change to make women safer.

The ‘16 Days of Action’ help improve the visibility of domestic abuse amongst the general public, provide hope to women who are suffering and encourage the introduction of ways to bring the perpetrators of abuse to account.

This year’s Women’s Aid ‘16 Days’ campaign will focus on solidarity with the one in five women who are affected by domestic violence.

The campaign will provide an opportunity for individuals and groups to call for the elimination of all forms of violence against women by:

• Making women safer in their own homes
• Highlighting the nature and prevalence of violence against women
• Raising awareness of violence against women as a human rights issue
• Showing solidarity among women around the world
• Promoting women’s leadership
• Lobbying government
• Strengthening local work to tackle violence against women

Events

AT 11am on Thursday 25th November 2010, thousands of balloons will be released in solidarity with the one in five women experiencing domestic violence in Ireland and globally.

At the same time, as Women’s Aid is releasing balloons outside Dáil Éireann, groups and individuals from Donegal to Kerry and Mayo to Louth will release balloons outside their community centres, town halls and in public squares.

A photo collage of these actions will be produced and uploaded to the Women´s Aid ‘16 Days Blog’.

On the same morning, Women’s Aid will extend an invitation to all TDs and senators to meet with them at Buswell’s Hotel to discuss the issue of domestic violence.

Politicians will be briefed on the campaign and current issues affecting women living with domestic violence. The public are asked to encourage their local TD to attend the Women’s Aid event.

Local TDs’ contact details are available at www.womensaid.ie/campaigns/16days.

For further information on the many events around Ireland during the ‘16 Days’ campaign and the latest facts on violence against women, join the ‘16 Facts for 16 Days’ email campaign at the following email:

[email protected]

or online

www.womensaid.ie/campaigns/16days